Raphael Varane has just announced his retirement from international football, with the highly-regarded center-back waving farewell to the France national team despite only being 29.
The Manchester United ace publicized this decision on Instagram, which was a surprise, as the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner revealed that this came on the back of "several months" of deliberation.
"Representing our great country for a decade has been one of the greatest honors of my life," he wrote on his official account.
"Each time I wore this special blue jersey, I felt immense pride. The duty to give everything, to play with my heart and to win every time we enter the field.
"I have been thinking about it for several months and decided that it was the right time for me to retire from international football."
The former Real Madrid sensation made his debut in 2013 and has since amassed 93 caps. He was at the heart of Les Bleus' triumph in Russia, leading the European giants to a second FIFA World Cup trophy, and was at the center of France's defense at Qatar 2022.
However, despite being only 29, Raphael stated that it is time to make way for the next generation, with Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, and new Chelsea signing Benoit Badiashile hoping to establish themselves in the national team.
"I will miss these moments with you (the fans) for sure, but the time has come for the new generation to take over," the now-retired defender added.
"We have a group of talented young players who are ready to take over, who deserve a chance and who need you."
Not many people expected this decision from Varane. In fact, as per the Daily Mail, even the national team was caught off guard by this move.
The retirement of Hugo Lloris following the defeat to Argentina in last year's final meant that Varane was set to become Les Bleus' captain. However, according to Le Parisen, the player went down this route in order to focus on his family and recovery, having suffered a number of injuries lately while enduring "physical and psychological fatigue".
The defender will now focus on Manchester United as they aim to reestablish themselves at the pinnacle of English football. As for the France national team captaincy, with Lloris and Varane both gone — and Olivier Giroud likely to follow soon — the armband could be passed on the Kylian Mbappe.
